Taller than these were some very colourful plants. We first saw Dillwynia glaberrima Smooth Parrot-pea, the most open species of this genera.

Smooth Parrot-pea

Next, some large species of Pimelea linifolia, Slender Rice-flower well above the bracken. The next surprise was some beautiful examples of Aotus ericoides, mistakenly called Common Aotus.

As this area was burnt 18 months ago the Xanthorrhoea australis, Auutral Grass-tree, had flower spikes and looked very healthy. Further along, were good examples of Conospermum mitchellii, Victorian Smoke-bush with its terminal white flowers. Eucalyptus falciformis Shining peppermint was in flower, and the smell of honey was obvious.

The track after about 500m turns back down under the power lines to the end of Golf Links Road. There were many more different indigenous plants along the track including Goodenia geniculata, Bent Goodenia with its cheery yellow flowers.

This area is very valuable, but needs lots of work. It is well worth an hour of your time to explore the area.

Weed of the month

Freesia

Freesia refracta and Freesia alba X F. leichtlinii are declared weeds in the Surf Coast Shire because they spread easily and threaten to invade bushland. Freesias are perennial herbs that die back in summer and produce new foliage in winter. The highly fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers appearing in spring are white to cream and pink with yellow markings, shaded purple on outer surface. Each plant has at least two corms, one below the other, thus requiring deep digging to remove them.